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THE DRIP FEED MULL IT OVER Somerset’s Harry’s Cider has launched new flagons of its popular mulled variety. These guys make their boozy juice with apples from the family orchard, using traditional methods to turn them into award-winning West Country ciders. The base cider is slowly infused with aromatics such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to give it that festive feel. Great for gifting, better for drinking. Find it at Bath Christmas Market and online. harryscidercompany.co.uk CHAI BABY Park Street teashop Bird and Blend has released some new seasonal blends for the coldest season. This fella combines the usual chai spices – think ginger, cinnamon and cardamom – with subtle cocoa and toffee flavours. With a backbone of rooibos, this is a naturally caffeine-free blend and can be made with hot milk or water. PJs at the ready, then, for this great new nighttime bev. (These long, dark evenings are
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good for some things, at least, hey?) birdandblendtea.com ALE BE DARNED Bath Ales is bringing back its popular Crimbo porter, Festivity, for the 2019 Yuletide. With big toffee notes up front and a long lingering bitterness, this festive special isn’t as cloying or thick as winter brews can sometimes be, and has underlying hints of
Helen Rich, founder of the Taste of Bath hamper biz, chose her house based on its proximity to this jolly local boozer... My local is The Hop Pole on Upper Bristol Road in Bath. The vibe here in three words is friendly, chilled, local. I’m drinking a large New Zealand Sauvignon and hubby is probably having a pint of Bath Ales’ Prophecy.
rum, coffee and liquorice. It’s available until Christmas on draught at selected pubs as well as in bottles and micro casks, direct from the Bath Ales shop in Warmley. bathales.com FIG DEAL This year’s festive offering from Tarquin’s Cornish Gin sees their original spirit pimped up with dried figs, clementine zest and brandy-soaked cherry
And to nibble I’ll have Nobby’s Nuts (sweet chilli) or a bowl of chips with curry sauce. You’ll find me sitting in one of the smaller nooks, right next to the fireplace. The crowd here is made up of friendly locals of all ages. Families pop in after playing in Victoria Park, thirtysomethings get together for a gossip and the older crowd love it for the proper pub feel. That’s not all though, Chris and his team are lush! Great service, great banter and this makes it a
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wood chips to offer a contemporary twist on a traditional pud. Just one whiff and you’ll be thinking of Noel, thanks to the comforting spices and subtly sweet fruit notes. They recommend drinking it with ginger ale or mixing it into a festive take on a Negroni, with sweet vermouth, Campari and a twist of orange. Find it at Corks of Cotham. tarquinsgin.com
real community hub. The garden is pretty lovely, too. If I could steal something I’d take the landlord’s dog; she is so cute! Loves a bit of a belly rub and cuddle. Basically, you should try my local because there are so many chains, posh pubs and gastro places where they want you to book a table. This, however, is a good local boozer, designed for session drinking or a quiet board game. thehoppolebath.co.uk